Venezuela car sales plummet 81.45% in January

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Car sales in Venezuela fell by more than 81 percent in January compared with a year ago as the nation's economic crisis crippled sales, the Venezuelan Automobile Chamber, called CAVENEZ, said Monday.

A total of 3,700 cars were sold in January compared with 19,951 in January last year -- a slide of 81.45 percent.

Car sales have plummeted as Venezuela struggled with growing recession and political instability. A two-month opposition strike cut into sales further as many private businesses remained closed. Opposition leaders are demanding President Hugo Chavez accept elections.